Standing, sitting, or lying supine
Anterior, lateral, or posterior to the patient.
May I touch your hand? (or point to the demonstrated area).
Now please move your fingers up and down and then out and in (or demonstrate).
The metacarpophalangeal joints are formed by the articulations of the metacarpal bones with the
proximal phalanges of the four fingers. With the patient relaxed, palpate the prominent convex shaped
metacarpal heads. Slide your fingers distal to the metacarpal heads and palpate the concave proximal end of
the proximal phalanges of the fingers. Palpate the joints during metacarpophalangeal flexion, extension, abduction and adduction motions.
VH ñ close up of the hand skeleton, no muscles